On Getting Better
Consider joining me on a BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT). The San Diego, Homer, and the yet-to-be announced Spring DeSoto IPTs, the July 2023 Jacksonville IPT, and the July 2024 Galapagos Photo-Cruise of a Lifetime, all offer the opportunity for you to dramatically improve your skills both in the field and at the computer and to make some astounding images as well. Click here and see which IPT might be best for you.
What’s Up?
Day 3 of the third DeSoto IPT dawned cloudy. The American White Pelicans were as sedentary as they were on Tuesday — so much for bird behavior being repetitive. We bailed early and headed for the fishing pier with the nice east wind. We had lots of action with diving pelicans, Laughing Gulls, Sandwich Terns, and lots of silly-tame wading birds on the railings and in flight. The variably cloudy sky made getting the exposures perfect difficult even with Sony’s Zebras; we’d go from cloudy dark to full sun in just a moment. I taught the boys and girls to go one or two clicks darker for the Snowy Egrets than for the Sandwich Terns, and one or two clicks lighter for the darker Brown Pelicans. Each click is 1/3-stop.
Mike and Norma stayed in on Wednesday afternoon while Bob Reis and I did another session with the shorebirds at ground level. We began with a juvie Piping Plover that posed right in front of us for what seemed like an eternity. We had some winter Western Sandpipers, two oystercatchers, a Short-billed Dowitcher, two Black Bellied Plovers, and a handsome Willet. We did lots of wide shot bird-scapes as the light was soft and sweet and the breeze created gorgeous patterns in the water. I took the group out for a late thank you dinner to Pia’s Trattoria in Gulfport.
Today is Thursday 3 November 2022, the last morning of the third DeSoto IPT. Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post took about an hour to prepare including the time spent on the image optimizations and makes two hundred twenty-two days in a row with a new one.
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Brand-New and As-Good-As-Ever Bedfords BAA Discount Policy
Folks who have fallen in love with Bedfords can now use the BIRDSASART coupon code at checkout to enjoy a post-purchase, 3% off-statement credit (excluding taxes and shipping charges) on orders paid with a credit card. The 3% credit will be refunded to the card you used for your purchase. Be sure, also, to check the box for free shipping to enjoy free Second Day Air Fed-Ex. This offer does not apply to purchases of Classes, Gift Cards, or to any prior purchases.
Money Saving Reminder
Many have learned that if you need a hot photo item that is out of stock at B&H and would like to enjoy getting 3% back on your credit card along with free 2nd Day Air Fed-Ex Air shipping, your best bet is to click here, place an order with Bedfords, and enter the coupon code BIRDSASART at checkout. If an item is out of stock, contact Steve Elkins via e-mail or on his cell phone at (479) 381-2592 (Central time). Be sure to mention the BIRDSASART coupon code and check the box for Free Shipping. That will automatically upgrade to free 2nd Day Air Fed-Ex. Steve has been great at getting folks the hot items that are out of stock at B&H and everywhere else. The waitlists at the big stores can be a year or longer for the hard-to-get items. Steve will surely get you your gear long before that. For the past year, he has been helping BAA Blog folks get their hands on items like the SONY a 1, the SONY 200-600 G OSS lens, the Canon EOS R5, the Canon RF 100-500mm lens, and the Nikon 500mm PF. Steve is personable, helpful, and eager to please.
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Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are — out of ignorance — using the wrong gear, especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads. And the same is true in spades when ordering new camera bodies or lenses. My advice will often save you some serious money and may help you avoid making a seriously bad choice. Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. If you are desperate, you can try me on my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up.
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This image was created on 2 November 2022 on the third morning of the third DeSoto IPT. While standing at full height I used the handheld the Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #1: Laughing Gull scolding incoming American Oystercatcher |
Just Hanging Around
We were standing around near the base of the pier waiting for the Sandwich Terns to dive and come up with a baitfish when I spotted an incoming oystercatcher. I called it out to the group, but no-one saw it fast enough to get on the bird. I fired off about ten frames and kept four. My two favorites are today’s featured images. I like one better first but changed my mind.
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This image was created on 2 November 2022 on the third morning of the third DeSoto IPT. While standing at full height I used the handheld the Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens Tracking: Zone/AF-C with Bird Face/Eye detection enabled performed to perfection. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy a high-res version. Image #2: Laughing Gull scolding incoming American Oystercatcher |
560mm Handheld and Loving It at DeSoto
The 400 f/2.8 GM lens with the 1.4X TC and an a1 has become my primary rig at DeSoto. It is great to head out onto the beach without a tripod. At times, the prime lens alone is even more deadly without the teleconverter. I have been using the 600 with either TC on the flattened tripod in the afternoons for the shorebirds. With great success.
Your Call?
Which of the two images do you like best? Leave a comment and let us know why you made your choice.
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Click on the image to better see the green eye-AF boxes in action. Sony Alpha 1 Flight Photography AF Points! |
The SONY Alpha a1 Set-up Guide and Info Group: $150.00 (or Free)
The SONY Alpha a1 Set-up Guide and Info Group is going great guns as more and more folks chime in with thoughtful questions and experience-based answers. As the a1 is becoming more readily available, more and more folks are getting their hands on this amazing body. The group is now up to up to an astounding 131 lucky and blessed folks, and more than a few folks own two or more a1 bodies! Early on, we discussed the myriad AF options. I gave my opinion as to the best one for flight and general bird photography. The best news is that everyone in the group receives an e-mail that includes a .DAT file with my a1 settings on it, and explicit directions on how to load my settings onto your a1; talk about convenience! I am now offering a .DAT file compatible with firmware update 1.20. Your entry into the group includes a consolidated Sony a1 CAMSETA2 INFO & GUIDE. New a1 folks will now receive six e-mails instead of the previous 28! You will receive new e-mails as they are published. Simply put, this e-mail guide is an incredible resource for anyone with an a1.
All who purchased their Alpha 1 bodies via a BAA affiliate link — B&H or Bedfords — will receive a free Sony Alpha a1 Set-Up Guide and free entry into the Info Updates group after shooting me their receipts via e-mail. (Note: it may take me several days to confirm B&H orders.). Others can purchase their guide here in the BAA Online Store.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
#2 because the birds are closer together making the gull’s tail sharper in 2 than in 1. Also in 2 it’s a little more apparent that the skimmer wants to land.
Both Image #1 and Image #2 are cute and #2 is just a little closer.
I like the oystercatcher in #1–seems it’s braking in reaction to the gull. But as others note, the gull is stronger in #2. Maybe a combo?
No. 2 for me. I like the wing position better where I can see more of the wing on the topside of the bird.
Caption: “What took you so long? I have been feeding these strange chicks all day! Now it’s your turn.”
I probably would choose image 1 for the more pleasing AOC pose. Both nice images.
Now some heresy. Yes, getting the exposure right is hugely important. Can’t say it enough. But modern digital cameras and software make it easier than ever to fix exposure errors when I do make them
Not heresy — 100% correct. See Friday’s blog post for proof.
with love, artie
Tough one. I like the outstretched legs/braking effect on the AOC in #1, but I prefer more AOC wing and the better head angle of the gull in #2. Two plusses is better than one so I’ll go with #2. I might even get a bit “naughty” and take the AOC from 1 and place it in image 2.
I also like image #2 best.
BTW, the 400mm with the 1,4x wide open would be f/4.0 not f/2.8.
Good catch. Thanks and fixed, with love, artie
Both images are great but I like the wing & leg positioning on the 2nd image more than the 1st. Also a little less distance between birds in the 2nd.
Thanks for leaving a comment, Tom. I like your avatar.
with love, artie